British Reptiles and Amphibians 



can throw off the old garments for new apparel with a 

 readiness and ease that many of the reptiles cannot 

 imitate. 



Previous to the hour when this sloughing actually 

 comes into operation, the creature exhibits signs of rest- 

 lessness in one form or another. A ragged ness appears 

 about the mouth, and the Newt rubs itself against any 

 fixed or stable object it may come into contact with. 

 This, however, is but a stage preliminary to the change 

 about to be effected. Once the skin actually com- 

 mences to peel off, it looks as if the whole integument 

 had actually loosened of its own accord. The animal 

 extricates its limbs one by one, as a man would draw 

 his arms from his overcoat, the body and tail slide out, 

 and the whole casement floats upon the tide as a 

 rejected mantle. Sometimes the Newt will turn and 

 snap at its old garment, nibble at it for a little while, 

 and maybe make a meal off it, but as a rule it allows 

 it to drift with the current. 



Apart from this peculiar characteristic in Newts, these 

 creatures, like many of their kind, have the power of 

 repairing any injury to their various limbs. A broken 

 tail, for instance, can be renewed, although in most 

 instances the new growth seldom proves a really 

 accurate replica of the original part ; but, broadly 

 speaking, it is a very good imitation of what had 

 previously existed. 



Newts live on aquatic or other insects, Tadpoles, 

 Worms, and any moving life found about waterways 



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